Thanks to the ever-shrinking size of electronics and the continued desire of bad people to take our stuff, cars are no longer the only vehicles that can be fitted with alarms.

Now some modern bikes actually come with a factory-installed alarm, but most bike out there don’t have anything like that. So if you want your significant other (your bike, not your spouse) to make some noise when someone is attempting a kidnapping, then you probably want to invest in something that will do the trick.

Here I’ve looked at some popular, common devices that you can easily add onto any bike to provide a warning when someone tampers with the bike. Many of them will also physically immobilize the bike for a double measure of safety.

I’ve purposefully avoided listing any alarms that have to be permanently attached to the motorcycle or require that you splice into the electrical system. They are a pain in the butt and, frankly, you don’t need them. The only built-in measure that I do recommend is a satellite tracking device and those can only be fitted by a professional dealer, so it’s not relevant to this conversation.

Nope, all of these alarms can be carried around in your bag and attached to your bike whenever you have to leave it alone. If you use a ground anchor and chain at home you can add these alarms to the total setup in order to provide a warning if someone is trying to take the bike. Since most ground anchors and chains are certified to sustain five minutes of attack, the alarm will scare off the thief or alert you long before they have a chance to get the chain broken.

So let’s have a look at these cool little gizmos.

Kryptonite Keeper 5s Yellow Disc Lock

This disc lock is a good way to physically secure your motorcycle, which means that it is a great companion to an alarm. The alarm will warn you the bike is being stolen, but a disc lock like this one will stop it from actually being taken away.

It works by essentially clamping your disc brake, with the pin going through one of the vent holes. This specific lock is designed to fit bikes that have vent holes 5mm vent holes. Usually only the big bikes are catered for, so this is a great way to protect smaller machines.

You get two keys and a long orange high-visibility cord, to remind you that the lock is in place. That means you won’t accidentally drive off with the lock engaged and completely wreck your bike. So, a good thing then. This is quite a small lock, as you’d expect for something meant for smaller bikes. Luckily you don’t have to worry about it getting wet, since it is weatherproof. No rusty locks here, peace of mind for long-term bike storage. It is however recommended that you add some lubricant to the lock every month or so if you are storing for the long haul.

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MYSBIKER Silver Knight

While at first glance this product from MYSBIKER may seem like just another disc lock, you’ll notice upon closer inspection that it also integrated an alarm into the package. A very loud 110 decibel alarm in fact, which is at the very least likely to deafen and confuse any would be thieves.

A little sensor inside the lock will pick up any vibration or movement and set the alarm off. If the alarm itself is not enough of a deterrent, then the disc brake lock itself will physically bar the wheel from turning, since the lock will snag on the calipers.

If you are worried that you might forget the disc lock is there, they have included a long bright reminder cable. That’s only an issue if the alarm isn’t engaged. The batteries can only be removed with tools, which is good from a security perspective, but annoying when you have to change them for fresh ones. Overall however, this is a great product thanks to good materials and its convergent design.

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YOHOOLYO Disc Lock Alarm

Yoohoolyo is quite a mouthful to say, but it’s disc lock alarm is much less flamboyant than the company’s creative moniker.

Matte black and unassuming, this little could easily be overlooked. I actually prefer disc locks that are highly visible. Both as a deterrent and as a way for you to remember it’s there. As usual however a reminder cable is included.

The batteries are secured by allen screws, so you’ll need the included allen key to get to them. It’s rust-resistant and waterproof, so besides occasional lubrication there are now worries about leaving your bike outside. Just be aware that this uses a 7mm pin, so make sure your disc has a large enough hole.

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Astra Depot 6mm Lock Alarm

This is one of the cheapest bike lock alarms that I’ve seen. This little guy attaches to your disc brake and will let out a loud alarm if disturbed. Your disc needs to be the right size though – it can’t be more than 1 cm thick and the holes need to be 6mm. Astra Depot says that this is widely compatible though, and will fit bikes of various styles from different manufacturers.

The lock is stainless steel, it’s waterproof, and it costs less than twenty bucks. People who have bought them seem pretty happy and the lock alarm works as advertised. I think the piece of mind you can buy for a twenty and change is definitely worth it.

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XENA XX10-Y

Another rather pricey disc lock; this one bright yellow, which might very well be an additional deterrent. This is a rather hefty lock with a loud 120 dB alarm, using the kind of CR2 lithium cell you can get from almost any pharmacy.

The barrel is freeze-spray resistant, which is one fast technique that thieves have been using recently. The alarm module is also removable if you just want a lock.

Each lock has a unique key code and the pin has been reinforced with carbide. The only thing that concerns me is the size of the pin, which may be too big for some motorcycles. So be sure to measure the holes on your disc before making a purchase. Otherwise I think this is a great little alarm.

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Make Some Noise

If you aren’t talking about complicated “cut your wires up” alarm systems then one alarm seems pretty much like the next. I still maintain that good quality disc locks with built in alarms are the way to go. If you do want a fancier alarm I suggest you get a professional to do it, especially since it requires messing around with the ignition system’s wiring.